Now obviously, before the service begins, there’s chatting and talking going on, that’s perfectly legitimate. When we all sing praises to God, of course the ladies should also lift up their voices. But when it’s learning time, it’s silence time. So what it’s saying is that they are to learn in silence… When the learning is going on, they are not permitted to speak. When the preaching of God’s word is taking place — and first of all, it’s not for a woman to be doing the preaching, and second of all, it’s not for women to be speaking.
This is why I don’t believe women should say ‘amen’ during the preaching either. Because ‘amen’ means ‘truly’ or ‘verily’ … it basically means ‘that’s true.’ So when I’m preaching and I say something that you agree with and that you believe in, and you say ‘amen,’ you’re saying ‘that’s true.’ So here’s the thing, when I’m preaching, women should not express their opinion, even if it’s a positive opinion, even if she agrees with me
— Steven Anderson, pastor of Faithful Word Baptist Church, Tempe, Arizona via Addicting Info
It’s only in a control-freak “Do as I say” environment that this man would have any power. He is unintelligent, poorly educated and, worse, completely out of control. His poor kids!
I feel sorry for all the children in his church who are taught that these things are true. I especially feel sorry for the girls who learn that they are lesser. I feel sorry for the women who buy onto it. I feel sorry for the women who don’t like that teaching but who are taught that their doubts are a sign of rebellion and sin and Satan’s temptation.
There was a documentary on BBC TV about the Andersons. The narrator asked a daughter, who looked under 10yo, how they coped with the death threats that the family received. Quick as a flash, a slightly older son came into shot and said ‘We are protected by an army of angels..’ The girl obviously knew her place, she wasn’t allowed to speak, poor child.
Steven Anderson is memorizing the Bible. When he beats his children for Jesus, I am sure he quotes scirpture. The man is a nightmare the government allows without even taxing his house of horrors. He exemplifies the template of excess that is the IFB church. Prey for him, indeed. Please prey until he is delivered.
The more that I hear about the IFB “churches”, the more I detest them.
By the way, I like how you wrote “prey” (things that predatory beasts do) when you probably meant “pray” (attempting to communicate with God). Was that a typo (typographic error) or a witty pun? Either way, it was pretty good.
Also, what’s with these IFB guys and their proclivities for misogyny and violence, anyhow? The human race does not need the likes of them!
It was intentional. It represents what appears more accurate to me than the ‘Love your neighbor’ sign on the church wall.
Why are women not allowed to talk in church?